God is Good and Two Year olds are...terrible?

  God is good. All the time. I'm so grateful for all the little reminders He sends my way. Finances are very tight right now and I realize I could let myself get in a slump, worry, and get all stressed out of shape. Believe me, I'm as normal as they come and it's not always easy. But there have been so many times in the past God has shown Himself faithful to meet our every need. It's a good thing to have to lean harder on Him. It's a good thing to realize what you can do without, to learn to be more thrifty, to dig deeper in the freezer rather than running to the store. I want to buy treats for my children but then I stop and realize that my time spent playing with them, a gentle spirit, and laughing together means more to them than an ice cream cone that drips everywhere while mommy nags and scolds.
   The other day I went to the store and I Really wanted to buy yogurt or cottage cheese, but no, I was going to do my part to save and not spend on extras. Then God gave me a gentle hug. I was talking to one of the managers in the dairy department [yes, my father-in-law]. He was down on his knees marking something on some  containers and then he held it up and asked, "Do you want cottage cheese for $.99 ?" :)  At first I wasn't sure what to say. Cottage cheese is usually, what? Close to $4 ? I decided to take it, not feel guilty, and to accept it as a gift from a Father who cares. Mmm, it was even the kind we like. I'm trying to not be to selfish with it and share it with my family :)
    It reminded me of something that happened the other week. Heidi's feet are catching up in size to her sister's feet. She had outgrown her Sunday shoes so she was sharing Hannah's foot wear..one would wear sandals and the other would wear shoes, and sometimes they'd switch back n forth. But Hannah's feet are growing too and she was soon going to be needing bigger ones herself. I wasn't finding any at garage sales, and didn't want to spend on new ones.  Then we were at my in-laws and Mom said that she had been  going through her closet, Once in a while, she'd buy things and stick them back for gifts but now she had cleaned out some of that and was going to be getting rid of it. Was there anything I could use ?  :) You guessed it. There was a cute pair of black Sunday shoes in exactly the size Hannah needed. Another God-hug !
   Ok, different subject. Is there anyone out there who had a number of children and never went through "the terrible twos" ? What's your secret? I'd heard that if you train your child right before that age, there's nothing like "The Terrible Twos ".  Well, either, we're not very good parents or that philosophy was just for select few.  Hannah hit that stage early..like at 15 months. She was very independant and strong-willed. Later when things were going more smoothly again, someone else with a daughter her age, said they didn't really hit that stage till their daughter was three or so.  Our second daughter was a lot more laid back and I didn't think we'd gave too much trouble with her..and then she turned 2 and it was like her personality did a flip..yup, it's the "terrible twos" with her. Our son, now 17 month seems about our easiest child yet, and I'm curious how it'll go for him, if each child seems just a little easier than the ones before. Hhmmm...on the other hand maybe it IS us as parents, just still learning the tricks.
  I think, though that there's just something about that age where they are learning to try  to figure things out on their own and they take extra time and patience to simply be taught how to respond to difficulties that get in their path. They need extra hugs and affirmation, and time on Mommy's lap to be reassured that their world isn't spinning out of control when the doll clothes don't go on right at first try or their nighty gets on upside down when they were determined, " I tan do it Myself !!!"
 There's also something so fun about two year olds. mine has a great imagination and I love hearing her express herself. Heidi Loves to help me and the other day when she was done with a job, she says sweetly, " Thank you, Mommy, for my help!"  Another time she says, " My nose hurts, Mom!"
 I ask, " Why does your nose hurt?"
 She replies, " Because I don't have to go potty !"
    I think I need a sister close by to have tea and talk for awhile. I'm rambling on. I only have around 14 weeks till baby dear arrives and the nesting instinct is strong but I'm not sure what to do about it because we're waiting to hear back from a guy about buying our house. I'm tired of the wait. But meanwhile I need to get some baking and ironing done. Have a good day counting your blessings.
  

It's a Dress ! It's a Pillow !

  My mending pile was slightly smaller but I still had a ways to go. Doing something creative would be much more fun. While my sewing machine is out and I have a light work schedule and the children are busy out in the sunshine, why depress myself mending ? What about one of those many ideas that rarely come to fruition?
 I know just the one. There's a cute little poke -a- dot dress that is just getting too small for Heidi. Stains and holes could tell tales of the many adventures it has been on. But throw it away? hhmmm.....then there's that scrungy little pillow that mainly gets tossed from couch to floor to chair to..

 It didn't take long. I first needed to sew the ruffled skirt up higher because I really wanted that cute green ribbon included. Next I turned it inside out and sewed up the bottom before cutting the remainder of the skirt off.  Stuff the pillow in, sew up the sleeves, and I'm done. I left the top open so I can unbutton the dress/ pillowcase to take it off and wash it as needed. Now the dress is a simple accessory to my little girls' room.

Rest in Peace :)

The dress was originally a gift for 2 yr. Hannah from her Aunt Suzi

 ..I believe a $1.00 find at Kohls. And it matched her cousin's dress. :)

 

Heidi was pleased when it got handed down to her !

   I recently made a new bag for my clothes pins but as I was sewing this dress up I realized that would've been another cute use for it. I think I'll keep that in mind for the next little dress I want to recycle. But for now I'd better return to that mending pile!

DREAMING

               

                                     Dreaming...

So I was listening to this clip about a woman who died of breast cancer, I think before she was 30 yrs. old.
 She had made a list of things she wanted to accomplish in her life time...take a train across Canada, run a half marathon, help an orphanage in India, get married, etc. Most of those things she never achieved. If I remember correctly, she died a month after getting married and now her husband has set out to accomplish those things in her memory. Some, like learning to play the cornet, sew, knit... he's not real thrilled about but is determined to do them anyway.

   So here I am in my wonderful little life with my man and my babies, and it looks like that's just how my life is to be. And I look forward to the rest of the journey even though I don't enjoy every aspect of it to the max. (Really, am I expected to enjoy potty-training, fighting stretch marks, cleaning toilets, or settling squabbles ?)
   But just for a little, while my son settles back to sleep on my shoulder, my 2 year old sings in the next room to keep herself awake, and my 4 yr. old snoozes on her hero-daddy's pillow..just for a little I'm going to dream.
   In my dream, I grow beautiful flower gardens and learn to make special bouquets which my children take   to the elderly.
                   (If it weren't for mu husband, I'm afraid any surviving flowers around here would be a dream.)
           I would take an anniversary trip to some place like this :

 Another trip would be to Alaska because that's my hubby's dream.
 We'd take our teenagers to a poor country and all help at an orphanage...preferably in India, where 2 of my beautiful nieces are from.
I would become an inspirational author for women.
                                                 I would run a lovely bed n breakfast with a tea room and a coffee and book nook and a music room (which would have a grand piano for my husband and varied instruments for my children.) And weary people, and terminally sick folks, and wore out moms, could come free of charge and  be refreshed. ( and for those moms..something special...a Private bubble bath, where they could soak till they were wrinkly as you please). No interruptions allowed.
   I'd learn to cook healthy attractive 10 minute meals, with lots of variations. And people would quit asking me if I don't feed my hard working, Thin husband.
 My children and I would memorize whole chapters of the Bible.
                        And as surely as I bring this to a close I will think of more things to add. It's been fun dreaming but in reality, my windows still need cleaned, my laundry is still unfolded, and my two year old is still awake.   What are your dreams ???

           "Our Wedding (Sour Cream) Brownies"

 First layer                                                                                                     will try to post pic later
1. In medium saucepan combine: 1 cup water
                                                   1cup butter
                                                  3 Tbsp. cocoa
Cook and stir till boiling. Remove from heat & set aside.
2. In med. mixing bowl combine:  2 cup flour
                                                   2 cup sugar
                                                    1 tsp. baking soda
                                                   1/2 tsp. salt
                                    Set aside.
 3. In large mixer bowl combine: 1 cup sour cream and 2 eggs
      Beat well. Add first two mixes. Beat till smooth. Pour batter
  into greased 15x10 " pan.
   Bake at 350 * for 25-30 min. or done.
   Cool on wire rack and freeze.

Second Layer
             1/2 cup scalded milk
              2 cup peanut butter
Mix. Add 1/2 cup butter
                2 cup 10x sugar
                 1 tsp. vanilla
 Spread over frozen cake.

 Third Layer (Topping)
   1/2 gal. vanilla ice cream mixed with  
   1/2 cup instant van pudding mix (powder)
    1 cup coolwhip.
Freeze.... Enjoy :)

My Family

My oldest brother Carl ,his wife Ruth..(they're separated) and their beautiful adopted 7. They live in Ohio.

Marlin and Darla ..Sweet Emily is her mom's right-hand helper with 7 brothers.

My sis Dorcas , husband Matt, 7 biological children, 5 permenant foster, the girl to the far right is  17 year old Krista who was in dire need of a loving home and  Rachel(in white behind Dorcas), helps Matts with their childrens ministry and works closely with Krista.

Somehow i missed getting a family pic of Lukes. Here he is with wife Anita.

Luke's twins from India w/ cousin Emily

Heidi n Hannah with Luke's youngest adopted daughter, Kristina

My brother, Kevin( just older than me) and his wife Clara are expecting their first in August (?)

Yup,that's us.

Exuberant sis Loisann n her Groom, Anthony Witmer

My parents, Luke and Lois Weaver (PA) and my youngest sis, Diane who lives in Sparta, WI

A Few Highlites From Our Trip

A short but sweet visit with Ruby Showalter from VA....our memories together go way back to 2nd grade when we were two plump little girls in long braids ;) It was great getting to see her little Hadassah for the first time.

There's so much beauty in good ol' PA. This photo was taken out back at my parents one of the first evenings we were there.

I was so glad to get to spend some time with a former student, Andrea (High) and her little family.

 Baby Alex is such a sweet miracle baby. (He was 1 lb. 11 oz. at birth.)

Rehersal was fun. more on the wedding later. 

My sis was absolutely soaring beyond cloud nine!

Our little family took about a 4 mile long buggy ride with Dad's neighbor and his little girl when they went to the bank. A relaxing and fun experience in the midst of a crazy busy week.

Memorial Day- most of the family got together at a park . Very warm day but all the better for getting wet. Wonderful to relax after the weekend. (Sat. was the wedding. Sunday we were away for lunch, from there went and visited some other friends and got back to Dads shortly before Brian Highs arrived for the evening..all fun but so tiring!)

More wonderful times relaxing at my brother Marlin's place between the beautiful mountains of north-western PA.Slept there Monday night and left after lunch on Tuesday to head for Ohio.

Jacob Mahlon pushing his cousin Jacob Isaiah

Mahlon in Ohio with his cousin Morgan Weaver

Hannah couldn't have been much happier than while riding horse with her cousin Destiny

The last night before heading home. It's so fun that my sis' three youngest are the ages of min

I'm still a little sad that I didn't get some good gab time with Donna Mullet. But it was a good trip and just about as good to get home again. :)

For My Beautiful Daughters

                 I keep thinking I really need to update my blog, but what to write? Today I pulled out an old "journal" that I used to use along with my devotions, or took notes in church, etc. and I decided to just share something on here that I wrote when my first daughter was not quite a month old. I'll revise it just a tad since I know have two daughters.
    Ps. 144:12b "that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."
  (as pillars sculptured as for a palace)
 * I desire my daughters to grow up firm and stable in the truths of God's word with beautiful spirits sculptured fit to be the temple of God.
    Prov. 3:9 "Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase."
Hannah, our first child, we want to raise you to be an honorable woman bringing honor to your Maker. You're a gift from God and we want to give you back to Him in this way.

Hannah-4 yrs. * * Heidi- 2 1/2yrs

                                                             
                                             Jewelry For My Daughters 
Prov.4:9 Tiara of Wisdom..."She shall give to thine head an Ornament Of Grace: a Crown of Glory shall she deliver to thee."
 Prov.15:13a Merry Makeup "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance."
Pro. 16:13 Lipstick..."Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love [her] that speaketh right."
 Prov.20:15 Lip Gloss.. "There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel." 
 Prov. 25:12 Earrings... "As an earring of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear." 
Prov. 27:9 Perfume of a good friend..."Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a [girl's] friend by hearty council." 
Prov. 31:25a Dress..."Strength and honor are her clothing."
                 "Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord,
                       She shall be praised."  Prov.31:30